Starting this October, blended AHT students will participate in lectures and non-lab course work online. They will practice their practical skills in Lakeland’s Animal Health Clinic at the Vermilion campus, completing five comprehensive lab residencies and two practicums during the two-year program.
“With the support of our advisory committee, we created a blended AHT option to help meet the need for qualified veterinary technologists within the animal health industry. Our blended AHT students will participate in full-time, online learning and put theory into action in our state-of-the-art Animal Health Clinic,” says Geoff Brown, dean of agricultural sciences and environmental sciences. “We’re excited to provide a second program option for students who’re eager to provide life-saving care in the veterinary field.”
According to the Government of Alberta, there is a veterinary technologist shortage in the province. In the last two years, 75 per cent of employers recruited for veterinary technologist positions.
Taught by experienced veterinarians and vet tech professionals, blended AHT students will complete their online lectures and assignments, exams and classroom discussions through a virtual learning management system. They’ll complete on-campus labs in Lakeland’s 14,531 sq. ft. Animal Health Clinic, which includes practical teaching spaces, a modern surgical suite, exam and treatment rooms, equine treatment area, bovine handling system and the latest equipment used by veterinary clinics.
Application for Lakeland’s blended AHT program is open. Learn more about the blended AHT program at the Live with Lakeland: Blended AHT webinar on July 19.
Lakeland also offers an in-person, on-campus AHT program option that starts in September, however it is waitlisted at this time.